Wall structure



Dec. 23, 1941. A. SEBENLIST 2,267,477

WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 9, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l,

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VIIIIIII'IIII Dec. 23, 1941. A. G. SIEBENLIST v WALL STRUCTURE Filed June 9, 1958 2 Sheets-Shet 2 INV NTQR Patented Dec. 23, 1941 WALL STRUCTURE Anthony G. Siebenlis t, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milcor Steel Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1938, Serial No. 212,681

11 Claims. (C1. 72-115) This invention relates to wall construction and particularly to the construction of a rigid metal framework suitable for attaching metal lath and plaster or similarwall surfacesfor partitions and the like.

It is a purpose of the invention to effecta light and'rigid metal framework for partitions, walls and the like in which spaced parallel track or runner members are connected by transverse members in an improved manner.

A further purpose is to effect improved connecting means for joining mutually transverse wall frame members, andparticularly for joining the ceiling and fioor runner or track members to the vertical studs of partition walls.

A further purpose is to provide connecting means for partition wall frame members and the like with improved convenience of assembly of the various parts.

A further purpose is to provide an improved coupling construction for locating and spacing wall studs relative to one another or to a floor or ceiling, or relative to track or runner elements, and particularly a coupling construction which is operative to rigidly fix the position of the stud without the use of wiring or similar expedients.

A further purpose is to effect an improved wall structure in which intersecting track or runner elements and stud elements are coupled or fixed together at their various intersections in a manner which permits the same sectional form for both the intersecting runner and stud elements, andpermits the same form of coupling members to be used at all intersections, whereby to simplify manufacture, construction and assembly.

, A further purpose is to provide a coupling device for fixing the position of the ends of metal studs which permits of use for coupling the stud directly to anotherwall, such as a floor or ceiling, or permits of coupling the stud to track or runner sections at one or both ends, by the means of the same form of coupling device.

A further purpose is generally to simplify and improvethe construction, operation and assembling of wall or partition frames, and particularly of means for rigidly positioning and connecting the various elements or members of the frame.

vThe invention comprises the construction and combination of parts as herein illustrated, described and claimed, and such modifications of the structure-illustrated and described as may be equivalent to the claims.

' The same reference characters have been used to identify the ame parts throughout, and in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion ofa wall frame incorporating the invention in one of its aspects.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the same wall frame taken approximately along plane 2-2, 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a left side elevation of the lower portion of the structure of Fig. 1, partly in sec-' of the parts of the frame of Fig. l in an intermediate stage of assembly. 7

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a portion of wall frame of modified construction, also incorporating the invention, one of the connector members being shown only partly assembled in the frame. i T Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the wall frame of Fig. 6, but fully assembled, taken approximately along the plane '|-1, l, 1 of Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a left side elevation of the portion of wall frame shown in Fig. 6, but fully assembled, and partly in section along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 showsa perspective view of a connector clamp element used in the structure of Fig. 6.

The wall'structure of Fig. 1 includes members comprising a horizontal ceiling runner or track I 0, vertical studs such as H and a horizontal fioor runner or track l2. Each of these members are preferably channel members of the same cross section form and size, a preferred form being that shown for the members I I, [2 in Figs. 2, 3. In each of themembers there is a central web portion such as I3 rigidly connecting side channel portions such as I4, l5which are inwardly open. It will be understood that in partition constructions the runners I0, [2 will be as long asrequired and that there will be a ,number of studs such as I l suitably spaced.

Therunner members I0, [2, Fig. 1 are each rigidly fixed in position relative to the stud members II by the means of the similar coupling members such as l6, l6 and the similar locking members, such as I1, I1.

Coupling members I6 may be initially formed as' shown in Fig. 4. The members include the spaced arms or projectingfportions l8, l9 iritegrally formed with an intermediate portion 20. At the junction of each arm with the intermediate portion there are outwardly formed portions such as 2|, 22, and each arm also has outwardly formed portions such as 23, 24. In this initial form the intermediate portion 20 is bent sufliciently that the outwardly formed portions 20, 2! will enter between the inner edges, such as the edges Ma, I5a, Fig. 5, of the channeled runner me, bers. The intermediate portion 20 is provided with apertures 25, 26 for suitable fasteners, such as the nails 21, 21, Fig. 3.

In the assembled structure the coupling members l6 serve to locate the studs relative to the runners at each joint, the outwardly formed portions 2|, 22 engaging within the channel portions l4, of the runner members, as shown in Fig. 3, and the outwardly formed portions-23, 24

engaging within the channel portions [4, l5 of I the stud members as shown in Fig. 2 To effectthis assembly of the members the connecting member l6, while in the form shown in Fig. 4, is positioned for the outwardly formed portions 2!, 22 to stand between the inner channel edges Ma, [51; as previously mentioned, and the intermediate portion is then straightened out, as by hammer blows, to simultaneously spread the portions 2|, 22 into rigidly engaged positions in the side grooves of the channel member, and bringing the arms I8, l9 to substantially parallel position, as .shown in Fig. 5. At this time the runner memher and connecting member may be fixed in the desired runner member position by the means of nails or suitable fasteners such as 21, Fig. 3, but the' length of the intermediate portion 20 may be suiiicient, if desired, for the studs to be rigidly fixed in position merely by expanding the 1 portions 2|, 22 into the channel grooves, and

without the use of the fasteners 21. In such case the runners may be fixed in position independently of the connectors 16 and by any suitable means.

When each of the members respectively forming the upper runner l0 and lower runner l2 have been positioned as described, with connecting members l6 positioned at each point where a stud joint is intended, the channel members forming the studs may be sprung or forced sidewise over the outwardly formed portions 23, 24 on the arms l8, l9, the outwardly formed portions and arms of the connectors then loosely engaging between the channel portions of the studs, as shown in Fig. 5. The function of the locking members I1 is to rigidly engage and lock the arms of the connecting memberswith the stud channels.

Locking members [1 are formed with a relatively narrow end Ila. The outward forming of the arm portion 23, 24 provides inner grooves 23a, 24a, Fig. 2, within which the narrow end of the locking member may be positioned, as shown in Fig. 5. The narrow end Ha is joined with a wider end l'lb by a tapered portion We of increasing width, and as the locking member is forced into further engagement to the position shown in Fig. 3, the arms l8, [9 are spread outwardly to rigidly engage with the channel member, as shown in Fig. 2. The locking members I! may, ifdesired, be formed with a laterally projecting lug portion l'ld, to operate as a handle, or as an abutment, to assist in positioning or releasing the locking member.

Following the positioning of the connecting and locking members as described the runners and studs are rigidly retained and locked against movement relative to one another or to the ceiling and floor, and any suitable form of metallath or otheruitable base'ior wall surfaces, not shown,

may be attached thereto in any suitable well known manner as, for example, by wiring.

The construction shown provides sufficient rigidity that the various channel and coupling members may be made of relatively thin and light sheet metal, and the weight may be further reduced by removing portions of the material of the channel member connecting webs 43 to provide spaced apertures, as shown. The material may be removed in any desired pattern provided it does not unduly decrease the strength of the channel member in the plane of the web, and if desired the removed material may be of a form to be utilized for locking members. Thus the material punched from the web apertures shown in the drawings, Fig. 1, is usable for the purpose of making the locking members [1.

The modified construction shown in Fig. 6 includes studs such as the stud HA, and runners, such as-the runner [2A, which are of substantially the same side channeled construction as the runners and studs of the construction of Fig. 1, but differ in the connecting web portions'as to the form of the openings and in the provision of strengthening ribs such as 30, 30 which are struck upfrom the plane of the web. The connectors such as 16A of the structure of Fig. 6 are also similar to those of Fig. 1, except for being narrower both in the arm portionssuch as IBA, [9A and in the intermediate portion 26A connecting the arms, but still providing outwardly formed portions such as 21A, 22A at the junction of the arms with the intermediate portion, also the outwardly formed arm portions such as 23A, 24A, these outwardly formed portions cooperating to engage in the inner channel grooves of the, studs and runners in the same manner as for the couplings of Fig. 1, previously described. Fasteners such as 27A, 21A may be used, as for the frame of Fig. 1.

Locking members 3|, 3| for the structure of Fig. 6 are materially different in form than for the structure of Fig. l. The locking members 3| cooperate individually and separately with the different arms 18A, I9A of the connector ISA,

' to lock.' the arm into rigid contact within the adjacent grooved channel edge of the stud. To effect the locking action, in this instance, the locking members 3| are provided with a wedge portion 31a, an abutment portion 3|b, and connecting portions 3lc, 31d. The wedge portion fi'l'a, when the locking member is in place, engages inside the internal groove associated with the outwardly formed'arm portions 23A or 24A, as the case may be and the abutment portion 3H5 engages outside the channeled edge of the stud, as-more' particularly shown in Figs. '7, 8; the'connecting portion serving to bind the connector arm and channeled portion of the stud rigidly together. In positioning the locking members'3l the member-is first hooked around the channeled edge of the studat a point outside the zone occupied by the arm ofthe connector member 160,, somewhat as indicated by the intermediateposition of the assembly shown for the. left. hand locking member 3|in Fig. 6; and. having. been suitably positioned is then forced downwardly, as by. hammer blows, to effect locking engagement of the wedge portion 3| a. and abutment portion 3.lb with the associatedstudand;connectoirparts, as shownin Figs. '7, 8. In order that one form of locking'member. 3! may be usable for. either side of; the stud, the wedge portion 31a. is formed; as; shown; in Figs. 8, 9-, with angularlydisposed wedgingsmfaces at both ends, although an angularportion at the one end only would be suilicient for either edge of the. stud.

Thelocking means just described has, among other advantages, theadvantage of not tending to spread apartthe channeled edges of the studs. It operateswithout setting up any spreading strain on the intermediate web of the studs, and for this reason is a preferred form for many uses. I i

In any ofthedescribed forms the assembly of the stud members with the connecting mem-- bers maybe effected by sliding the studs longitudinally over the arms of the connecting mem-- bers lfiafter the connecting members are fixed with the runners, but this method maylrequire that the stud members be short enough to enter the vertical space, Fig. 1, between" the downwardly and upwardlyextended arms of the upper andilower connecting members. In such case the studs will be locked in a final position by the locking members ll or l'lAonly after the stud has been' shifted vertically to substantially equally engage the arms of the upper and lower connecting members.

Anyof the variousmember forms described may, of course, be similarly used where the runners In, I2 are disposed vertically, and the studs are horizontal.

In still another form of the wall structure one, or both of the runners may be dispensed with, and the coupling members then become locating members which are fixed directly to the adjacent wall by the means of the fasteners which, together with the coupling members, then serve to wholly position the ends of the studs.

It will be noted that in each of the described structures a coupling means is used tojoin studs and tracks together by a keeper or the equivalent, the arms of the coupling means being forced into engagement with the flanges of the stud and then held in relative position by locking means.

Thus, in the structure of Fig. l, the inwardly facing surfaces of the longitudinal side or edge flanges of the upper runner or track l0, and also of the lower track l2 present inwardly facing abutments. The coupling means for connecting the tracks to the vertical stud ll includes, in each instance, a member such as It, Fig. 3, having keeper means comprising the portions such as 2i, 22 respectively engaging the different track abutments, and also having upwardly extended arms such as l8, 19, Figs. 3, 5, engaging the side or edge flanges I4, l5 of the stud. The arms of each connecting member being rigidly spaced apart to fit the stud flanges, the arms and stud flanges are restrained in relative lateral positions by the contact therebetween. Similarly for the structure of Fig. 6, excepting that, in this instance, locking members 3|, 3| are used instead of the locking members such as I! of Fig. 1.

What is claimed is: i

1. A wall construction comprising transversely positioned channel members and a unitary coupling member therefor having extended arm portions each simultaneously engaging with channel portions of each of said channel members.

2. A wall construction comprising transversely positioned channel members and a coupling member having arm portions each simultaneously engaging with channel portions of each of said channel members, said coupling member having a connecting portion joining the similar ends ofsaidlarm portions and providing an aperturefor acfastening means. I

3. .In :a, wall; constructionthe combination of mutually" transversely positioned channel members each having spacedside portions connected bya w'e'bportion, and a unitary connector having extendedparallelportions and an intermediate portionjoining the corresponding ends of the parallel portions, said intermediate connecter portion being positioned between the side portions of one of said channel members and said parallel portions being respectively engaged within' the different side portions of the other channel: member. i a

4. In a wall construction the combination of mutually transversely positioned channel members each having spaced side portions connected by a webportion, and a connecter having extended parallel arm portions and an intermediate portion joining the corresponding ends of the arm portions, said intermediate connecter portion being positionedbetween the side portions of one of said channel members and said parallel a'rm portions being respectivelyengaged within the difierent side portions ofthe other channel member, andfastening means associated with said intermediate connecter portion.

5. In a wall construction the combination of mutually transversely positioned channel members each having side portions connected by a web portion, and a connecter having extended parallel arm portions and an intermediate portion between the corresponding ends of the arm portions, said intermediate connecter portion being positioned between the side channel portions of one of said channel members, said parallel arm portions respectively extending interiorly adjacent the difierent side portions of the other channel member, and locking means retaining said parallel arm portions in rigid engagement with the last mentioned channel member portions.

6. In a wall construction the combination of mutually transversely positioned channel members each having side portions connected by a Web portion, and a connector having extended parallel arm portions and an intermediate portion between the corresponding ends of the arm portions, said intermediate connecter portion being positioned between the side portions of one of said channel members, said parallel arm portions extending interiorly between the side portions of the other channel member, fastener means extending through said intermediate connecter portion to fix the position of the connecter relative to another wall, and locking means associated with said parallel arm portions to fix the position thereof relative to said other channel member.

7. A wall construction comprising a channeled stud including side portions connected by a web portion, and a connecter adapted to fix the position of said stud relative to anotherwall, said connecter including extended parallel arm portions and an intermediate portion joining the corresponding ends of the arm portions, said arm portions extending in engagement within the interior surfaces of said stud side portions, and locking means associated with said arm portions to fix the position thereof relative to said interior surfaces. V x

8. A wall construction comprising a stud having side portions joined by a web portion, said side-portions each including a portion angularly disposed relative to the web and an inwardly directed, edge. portion fixed; to; the angular portion, whereby to provide for each side. portion a longi.. tudinal interior groove,v and-.a unitary connecter including an intermediate portion and parallel arms. similarly longitudinally extending from. opposite. ends of said. intermediate. portion. respectively, saidarm portions. respectively. longitudinally engaging. different. of said. interior grooves.

, ,9. A, wall construction comprising a runner and a stud manually transversely arranged, said runner and stud each-having side portionsjoined by aweb. portion, said sidezportionseach including a portion angularly disposed relativeto the web and an inwardly directed'edge portion-fixed tov the angular portion, whereby to provide for each side portion. a longitudinal interior. groove, a. connecter including an intermediate portion and parallel arms similarly. longitudinally extended from opposite ends of said. intermediate portion respectively, said opposite ends, each providing. outwardly formed. portions respectively engaging the longitudinal interior grooves associated with. the different edges of said runner; said arms each;providing outwardly formed portions respectively engaging the, longitudinal. interior grooves respectively associated with the difierent edges of the. stud, and clamp means fixing the position. of said; arms. relative to the stud;

10. A wall construction comprising a runner and a studmutually transversely arranged, said runnenand. stud each having side portions joined by a: web: portion,,said side; portions both for the runner and stud. providing inwardly opposed grooves,,and. a connecter including. an intermediate portion and parallel arms similarly longitudinally extended from opposite ends of said intermediate. portion respectively, said opposite ends respectively engaging within the longitudinal. interior grooves respectively associated with the different edges of said runner, said arms respectively engaging the longitudinal interior grooves respectively associated with the different edges of the stud.

ANTHONY G. SIEBENLIS-T.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,267 ,LL'YT December 25, 19141.

ANTHONY G. SIEBENLIST.

It ishreby Certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page it, first column, line 11, claim 9, for "manually" read -mutually; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of January, A. D. 19L 2.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents 

